Best for last: Hunt in pivotal test against Cronk

Ben Hunt has managed to rise to almost every challenge this season. Now he must overcome, or at least match wits, with the game's number one halfback as Brisbane fight for their season in Melbourne on Friday night.

The Brisbane playmaker has delivered on his talents in 2014 after smouldering away on the Broncos bench for a number of seasons, filling in as a back-up hooker while Peter Wallace played at the base of the scrum.

His eventual promotion has been a revelation for a Broncos side that hadn't really settled on a long-term number seven since Allan Langer retired more than a decade ago.

But Hunt faces one of his biggest examinations to date when he goes head-to-head with Cooper Cronk, who remains the benchmark halfback in the game and commands the Queensland and Australian jersey.

Few players present a cooler head in a big game than Cronk, whose influence was plain to see when he returned for the third State of Origin after breaking his arm just minutes into game one.

Queensland, lacking direction through two games in the face of strong NSW defence, were a different team, with Cronk's guidance giving them a killer punch as they claimed the dead rubber.

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The Storm have long benefited from Cronk's guidance and Hunt must do the same for Brisbane as they try to force their way into the finals on the back of a late-season bounce in form.

Broncos forward Matt Gillett said it had been fulfilling to see Hunt bloom throughout the year and he had no doubt he would be able to produce another quality showing against the Storm, who have beaten Brisbane the past seven times they've played.

"Having him firing the whole year has been good to watch and he's playing some good footy. Hopefully he can come in on Friday night and do the same thing. It's been a pleasure to watch, actually. He's scored a few tries and he's probably high up there on the Dally M awards as well," Gillett said.

Cronk represents everything Hunt wants to achieve in the game. Hunt almost played an Origin when Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans were hurt before the latter hobbled into the team right at the death.

"I'm sure Ben is looking forward to it," Gillett said. "Cooper is the Australian and Queensland halfback and one day Ben probably wants to be in those shoes, too. It will be a good challenge for Ben. I'm sure he's up to it."

Little has been made by coach Anthony Griffin of his departure next season but Gillett believes some of the younger players, many of whom Griffin has nurtured and championed over the past four years, have special motivation to make the finals.

"There's a lot of players that are here because of Hook (Griffin). A lot of us owe him a fair bit. He's stuck by us and we'll stick by him. Hopefully we can do a good job for him on Friday night.

"I'm sure he doesn't want us thinking that way but there's a few players around here that are still here because of him."

Gillett was philosophical about his bizarre sin-binning on Friday night, saying he just took it on the chin. Referee Ben Cummins would apologise after the game for the error.

"It was just one of those decisions. It was out of my hands. I just had to cop it and go and have a 10-minute rest," he said.

"I was a bit confused but you obviously can't change those decisions. I just had to get off the field and do my time."